What does your job title say about you?

Are you Head of Number-Crunching, a Social Media Guru or a Brand Warrior? Unusual job titles are all the rage but does your job title reflect what you actually do?

Brewer, Baker, Undertaker

Job titles have come a long way from the traditional days of the Happy Families card game when occupations were simple and to the point. Titles such as Accountant, Teacher and Postman are more conventional however with a wider variety of occupations on offer, start-up businesses and buzzwords, it’s not that uncommon to have a job title that is more creative and not immediately obvious to the outside world.

Technology companies like Apple, Google and Microsoft are leading the way with quirky job titles. The Matrix Group once advertised for a Swiss Army Knife to join their team. The title makes reference to the problem solving abilities required for the position.

Job titles are a neat way to sum up your area of expertise and level of experience but would anyone know what you did if you were an Information Advisor? (You’d be a Librarian). Another favourite of mine: an Underwater Ceramic Technician? (A Dishwasher).

How important is your job title to you?

Having an important sounding job title can bring a great sense of pride. Being a “Manager”, “Senior Manager” or “Director” can differentiate yourself from your peers and add credibility.

When applying for a new position (particularly within bigger organisations) it’s important not to disregard an opportunity because the job title on offer is not as grand as the one you currently have. You could be missing out on an excellent job! The key thing is to secure the best job, not the best title.

Clarify your title and expertise on your CV

Does your title accurately reflect what you do? If not, you may wish to keep this in mind when you’re updating your CV and applying for jobs.

Generic titles can be tricky. An “Analyst” for example, can mean one thing to an IT start-up company and something completely different to an accounting global behemoth. If you need to, you can tailor your job title to something you feel is more relevant, providing you are being truthful.

Make sure you also include a detailed description of your current responsibilities and achievements to ensure your application is not overlooked. If you’re applying for a specific position, tailor your CV to the job description and make your relevant experience clear.

Unconventional titles may reveal important trends

A lot of start-up and software companies are giving their staff more unusual job titles. This is a great way for companies to attract the right calibre of staff and make their company stand out from the competition. A good example of this is FireFish Software, their “Head of Happiness” is Vicki Hemphill.

Vicki sums up her job by explaining “I ensure that clients enjoy a smooth onboarding process, through coaching and ongoing support – elements that ensure customers’ long-term success with our product. Essentially making sure everyone is happy!”

With an increased focus on providing great service, employers are changing the way they interact in the marketplace to be more approachable, personable and responsive to their customer’s needs. A great way to be memorable to customers is to pair a fantastic level of service with an out of the ordinary job title. Who isn’t going to remember you if you’re a Genius or theIntergalactic Federation King Almighty and Commander of the Universe?

Unusual job titles certainly raise a few eyebrows but they can get you noticed – this can be key when you’re looking for your next job!